Bargain Hunting: the SIG P225/P6

There are a few times when we can write up a SIG and stick it in the bargain bin, such as the P250 and SP2022, but the majority of their firearms are pure premium, and generally cost 50% or more than other service pistols and rifles. One gun we’re putting on the short list is the SIG P225, and it’s sister model, the German Police P6.

The P225 is a direct descendant of the SIG P220, the iconic Swiss designed, originally German-made service pistol. Uncommon to many European handguns the P220 was a full-size single-stack .45 ACP. An original design, the P220 was designed to be used in DA/SA, with the first trigger pull being a full double-action stroke and every one after that a tight single-action pull. The P220 was made with a decocker, not a manual safety.

It was put into service starting in 1975 in Switzerland to replace the much more expensive SIG P210. Soon it would see adoption in many other countries including the US and even the Swiss Guard at the Vatican. But an even less expensive, more compact option was sought out in Germany. The SIG P225 was designed to meet the German Police requirements put forth during the ’70s.

Like the P220 the P225 is a single-stack pistol with an alloy frame and steel upper, but it’s got a shorter slide and barrel, 3.9 versus 4.4 inches, and it’s chambered in the more economical 9mm. The main design change is the slide. Unlike the milled slide of the P220, the P225 uses a stamped steel slide that is lighter weight and much less expensive to produce.

The P225 is 7.1 inches long, 1.3 inches wide at the controls and 1.2 inches across the grip, and 5.2 inches tall. Unloaded it weighs 1.6 pounds or 26.1 ounces. Not only does it make a fine compact duty weapon, it doubles just fine for concealed-carry.

In Germany the SIG P225 was adopted as the P6, with a heaver mainspring giving it a slightly heavier double-action trigger and fixed combat sights. In the US where the P225 saw wide adoption by law enforcement as well it was outfitted with night sights. If you get one with night sights they probably need replacing if you want a healthy tritium glow.

The P225 and P6 have largely been discontinued as the demand for single-stack 9mm pistols for duty is practically nonexistent today, and they’re often sold off as departments replace them with more suitable handguns. Which is great news for the gun enthusiast and the concealed-carrier.

Unlike most SIGs the P225 has a very comfortable grip for people with hands of all sizes and there is a healthy aftermarket for them as well. Sights, grip panels, holsters, magazines and every other P225/P6 accessory you could ask for is available for these guns, and best of all, they’re priced perfectly.

You can find a P225 or P6 usually for around $450, give or take $50 depending on the lot and the condition. The P225 may have been replaced by the P229 and P239, but there’s something about the original that neither model can really approach. Its class and history alone make the P225 worth wanting, but the simple truth is that it’s also just a bargain.

One of the best single stack 9mm handguns ever made. I've shot them many times and still on the prowl for one myself. I still wish Sig did not stop making them. Trust me if you see one grab it fast. You won''t be dissappointed with it.

Got one, LOVE it. Although that said, in this day and age, I still prefer to carry a 1911 style weapon in.45 ACP. I also love to shoot my 226 in.40, and my 220 and the 238. I am thinking about a 229 in 40. The.357 SIG just looks like it would be a pita to reload with the bottle necked cartridge. I have the 9mm threaded barrel for the 226, but also have to change the spring. Still lately, I have been shooting the 226 and the 220 with the.22 conversion on them just because even reloading,.22 is still cheaper to shoot.

The Sig 220 in Swiss service is a 9mm pistol with a heel clip mag release and a 9 round single stack mag. All of the early 22- series pistols were made with a stamped slide/milled insert design. I owned a 226 that had the problem of the roll pin holding the milled insert into the slide wanted to walk out. Easy fix though. The 225 was the Secret Service's choice to replace their S&W Model 19 revolvers. The 225 was replaced by the Sig 229 in.357 Sig not too long ago. I've also carried a Sig 226 in.40 S&W as a duty issue pistol. Sig makes a very fine piece, and the 225/P6 is no exception.

Several years back, when various European police agencies were dumping their P6's for newer, double capacity 9mm's, these were available for $250-$350. I managed to get one...sent it to one of the premier SIG-smiths, Bruce Gray (grayguns.com), who performed one of action tuneups and installed night sights. Sent it elsewhere to get a new baked-on finish...and voila....got a super slick P6 superbly suited for concealed carry.

How much did the extra work set you back? My gut usually tells me that it's just as cheap to buy a more expensive gun that didn't need slicking up, but I honestly have no idea how accurate that is. Note: I'm a Ruger fan, so take that with a grain of salt :)

Joe Red ...I don't recall; I think $250 for the action work and tritium night sights (NS) and $75 for the finish. My work gun at the time was a P229 in .40 S&W; I wanted a personal gun I could use for carry and occasional IDPA-type matches. Bruce Gray and the refinisher both had sales going on for their services at the same exact time. Since the gun did not have NS (about $100 or slightly over most places alone), I went "whole hog" and had his action tuneup/NS job done. The tune up included replacing all the springs which I would have personally done anyway on my P6.

In all honesty, the gun didn't need the work or refinishing; I don't think most of these P6's need it anyway....just a set of NS (maybe a new recoil and hammer spring) and confirmation that your favorite JHP round (if used for defense) works in the gun. A new gun can be purchased for the price of a P6 that you later send for any custom work....but I wanted a "special" gun I could call all my own, and now I have it. By the way, Rugers are vice nice. Love their revolvers.

I want one. Saw my first P6 at the Nations Gun Show in VA for $400 and it was very cool. Didn't even know what I was looking at and before holding one, I didn't know it existed. Would have picked it up but couldn't buy it because I'm a Maryland resident. Shame, would have been interesting to shoot it side by side with my 229. I'll keep on the look out!

I shot over a thousand rds from SIG 226, basically a 225, but with 15 rds...outstanding firearm...of the 3 different makes of 9's tested, it was the choice of all 3 of us armorers. This was back in like 1986? Still a sweetheart today!